• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Ericas Ed-Ventures

Primary Education Ideas

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Classroom Decor Inspiration
  • Teacher Style
  • Shop
  • Contact

New Year’s Resolution – Technology

Today, I am linking up with my buddy Kathleen of Growing Kinders with my technology resolution.
MY RESOLUTION:
Use the SmartBoard more and not just to show movies!
I have had my SmartBoard a few years and I do love it.  I use it everyday with our math series (Go Math) and attendance.  Yet, I don’t feel I am using it to it’s full potential.  I think I just get a bit overwhelmed with all that is out there for it.  So my resolution this year is to take baby steps and start utilizing it in a more interactive way.
How I use it now:
  • Attendance – one of my fellow first grade teachers made a cute practical file, which has the kids move their name to what they are getting for lunch.  It was so generous of her to share, I just changed the names of her students to mine.  I love how easy it is to edit a SmartBoard file!
  • I use it for my math series by logging in through ThinkCentral.  It is a great visual for the kids and they love the Curious George Videos.
  • I take little screen shots of my TpT products and insert them into SmartBoard files.  I do this for Venn diagrams especially!
  • Brain Pop Junior!  I love this site.  You seriously need to ask your district to buy a membership.  My students love Moby!  I love that the videos are short and educational.  I also love the little quizes at the end. 
  • Spelling City – This site is great for computer lab, but also a fun whole class way to play a game with spelling words. 
  • YouTube Videos – This is my favorite penguin video!!!

Please, link up with Kathleen by clicking here!  I hope to snag some more ways to use the SmartBoard.

There is also a flash giveaway where you could win my New Year’s Unit among other awesome goodies!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous Post: « A Hero’s Tradition – Merry Christmas
Next Post: Organization New Year’s Resolutions »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jeanne

    December 27, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    Thanks for sharing the Penguin video!

  2. FirstGradeBlueSkies (Jennifer)

    December 28, 2012 at 1:30 am

    Love the video!
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

  3. Heather's Heart

    December 28, 2012 at 2:19 am

    I LOVE the penguin video! I love my SmartBoard and am going to try and start sharing all of the files I have created. My kiddos love United Streaming and Education City! =)

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

  4. Miss Nelson

    December 28, 2012 at 4:32 am

    Brainpop is my go to website 🙂 My kids love Moby too!

  5. Lisa at Fourth and Ten

    December 28, 2012 at 4:43 am

    I love using my Smartboard! It's overwhelming what is out there but I love checking out Smartexchange when planning units. 🙂 Most of the things on there are free and it's nice to not reinvent the wheel!
    Lisa
    Fourth and Ten
    Like Fourth and Ten on Facebook!

  6. Kelly

    December 28, 2012 at 5:41 am

    I only wish I had a smart board!

  7. CarolP

    December 28, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    I'd like my "resolution" to be to use my Smartboard more too! I've had it at least 10 years & don't use it to its full potential either. I mostly use it with my wireless doc cam (which I love, love, love!!!)- whatever I'm working on projects on my Smartboard for all the kiddos to see. Carol cpolston3@yahoo.com

  8. Lucilyn labajo

    January 6, 2013 at 7:19 pm

    GED or General Educational Development learning has become one of the best options among a lot of students who are looking for faster yet equally competitive ways to get into college or apply for a prestigious job. This is why a lot of people are thinking of getting printable GED practice test that can help train them to pass in the actual examination. Here are some reasons why getting one is important.

    free printable ged practice tests

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

Categories

Subscribe via Email

Featured Products

Disclosure: This website/blog contains affiliate links.  What that means is that when you click on a link to a merchant and purchase something, I get a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you.

Footer

Latest on Instagram

📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read- 📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read-alouds!
These are my absolute favorite first-week books for building classroom community, easing those first-day jitters, and setting a positive tone from day one.
From Our Class is a Family, All Are Welcome, The Book of Rules, and so many more — these stories never miss.

Which one is a must-read in your classroom? Drop it in the comments and I will send you the links to my follow up activities!

#BackToSchool #ReadAlouds #picturebooks
These play-doh first day gifts are cute and practi These play-doh first day gifts are cute and practical!  The play-doh gives your students something fun to do while you are busy greeting students at the door.  Then once everyone is in, then you can unpack supplies as a class. 

Want the link to the FREE tags and to see what else I do on the first day?  Comment “first day” below and I will DM you the links!

#teacherhack #teacherfreebies #playdoh #teachersfollowteachers #backtoschool
How do you handle this situation? Do you put the How do you handle this situation?  Do you put the new student at the end of the alphabetical list or do you start over with a new one?
I know I am next for a new student (I have 24 kids and everyone else has 25), so I am holding off until the night before the first day.  I wish I could just wait but I like modeling where their bags and mail goes, both of which are set up using numbers.

True story: One year on the first day, I had a no show.  Then I was assigned a new student.  That student fit perfectly in the alphabetical order spot that was left.  I should have played the lottery or something.  What were the odds of that?!

#teacherproblems #teacherhumor #primaryteacher
5 things that are worth the money for your classro 5 things that are worth the money for your classroom!

1. A color printer.  We don’t have color printers at school and this has saved me from having to remember to print something at home. I brought in mine from home and then bought a new one for home. 
2. MacBookAir - This is my personal laptop.  I bring it home on weekends and holidays but for the most part I keep it at school.  I did need approval to get it on our district WiFi, which meant my phone could not also be on the WiFi.  There is a one device per teacher rule.
3. A lay-flat binder for my plan book, dismissal binder, and sub binder.  These save so much space and they are flexible. 
4. A laminator at school and a laminator at home.  It took me many years before I caved and bought another one but again, it saves me from remembering to laminate at home and I can also laminate during snack time and preps. Matte laminating is also worth the splurge.
5. My teacher toolbox! This toolbox has been with me for over 10 years, I just change out the labels to go with my decor theme.  Everything has a place and it keeps my desk organized.

Want the links?  Comment “links” below and I will DM you them. 

#classroommanagement #amazonfinds #classroom #teacherhacks #firstgradeteacher
✨Center time just got so much better! ✨ These 1st ✨Center time just got so much better! ✨
These 1st grade phonics-based literacy centers keep my students engaged, independent, and actually cheering when I say it’s center time. 🙌
Year-long skills that spiral and build (short vowels → digraphs → blends → vowel teams → multisyllabic words and more), primary lined recording sheets, supportive visuals, and activities that are easy to prep once and reuse all year.

Perfect for Science of Reading classrooms, Fundations® users, Daily 5, or anyone who wants structured, decodable practice while you pull small groups.

My students know exactly what to do… and I get to teach without interruptions. Win-win! 📚💛

Comment LINK if you want a full year of ready-to-go phonics centers and a free sample set!
#PhonicsCenters  #LiteracyCenters #FirstGradeTeacher  #Phonics #WordWork ReadingCenters
🌻Sunflower Classroom Decor Room Tour🌻 This was my 🌻Sunflower Classroom Decor Room Tour🌻

This was my room decor before the pastels.  It worked well to incorporate my old farmhouse items (my decor theme before that) and as a bonus it made my Ukrainian students smile (the sunflower is the national flower of the Ukrainian).

Do you want the links?  Comment “sunflower” below. 

#classroomdecor #tptcheckoutmyclassroom #firstgradeteacher
Teacher Tip: Sort and store your printables for th Teacher Tip: Sort and store your printables for the upcoming weeks in a file tray above drawers for the days of the week.  This helps to keep you organized for the weeks ahead.
Save and use leftover colored copies as dividers. This makes them less bulky, than if you had used binder clips.
When you near the end of the week, pull the papers from the tray and sort into the weekday drawers and centers.

Have questions?  Ask them below!

#classroomorganization #classroommanagement #teachertips #teacherhacks
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2026 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs